Railroad switching device



Nov. 28, 1967 c. J. SCHWAB 3,

RAILROAD SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Aug. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 //vv/v TOR aJQJ6%mZ m M? @611 A TTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 c. J. SCHWAB RAILROAD SWITCHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet '4 Filed Aug. 30, 1965 Nov. 28, 1967 c J. SCHWAB 3,355,585

RAILROAD SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Aug. 50, 1965 3 Shets-Sheet a L EXTERNAL WIRING L United States Patent 3,355,585 RAILROAD SWITCHING DEVICE Charles J. Schwab, Fox River Grove, 111., assignor to Brock Equipment Company, a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 483,482 11 Claims. ((31. 246393) This invention relates in general to switching devices, and more particularly to a switching device for operating a railroad switch.

In the past it has been well known to provide switchstands for manually operating railroad switches, and permittin g automatic operation by a locomotive or car passing through the switch. Such switching devices are typified 'by that disclosed in Andersen Patent 2,575,037. One serious drawback of switching devices such as that shown in the Andersen patent, is that it has heretofore been necessary for an operator to manually move an actuating lever to effectuate the desired switching action during manual control of the switch. This is obviously a time consuming, and often exhausting job, and one of the principal features of the present invention is to provide a switchstand which can be power operated, as well as manually and automatically operated.

The problem mentioned above in connection with switching devices of the type disclosed in Andersen Patent 2,575,037 has been recognized in the past, and it has been proposed to provide hydraulic actuator means for power actuation of the switch. These devices have not proven entirely satisfactory, in that they have failed to provide means to manually operate the switching device, when desired, in addition to the hydraulic power actuator means. Additionally, such power operated switching devices have been extremely costly to manufacture and maintain, and have proven unreliable in service. Still further, such power actuated switching devices are not conventionally provided with means for returning the switchpoints to an operative position, when the switch is blocked by a rock or the like. Thus, these switches are liable to stall with the switchpoints in an intermediate position, and create a hazardous condition.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching device of the character described which may be manually operated as well as power operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switching device which can readily convert manually operable switchstands in present use to power operated switchstands.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact, self-contained power actuated switching unit; which is light in weight, and easy to manually operate, when desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switching device as described above with means for sensing obstructions which might block the switch, to return to switching device to one of its operative positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a switching device as described above with means for preventing power operation of the switch during manual operation thereof.

till another object of the invention is to provide a manual-power operated switching device with electrical motor means for actuating the switching device between its operative positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a switching device as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the entire switch actuating means, including the motor, is a self-contained unit mounted within a housing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a housing as set forth in the preceding paragraph with handle 3,355,585 Patented Nov. 28, 1967 means whereby the self-contained unit may be manually operated between the operative switch positions.

These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a portion thereof shown in section looking in the direction of line 11 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with a portion thereof shown in sections looking in the direction of line 22 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG. 2, but on a reduced scale and showing the switching device in its two manually movable positions;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 55 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram for controlling the operation of the switching device.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a fragment of a switchstand 10, such as that shown in Andersen Patent 2,575,037, is shown to include a hub 11 corresponding to hub 63 in the Andersen patent. As is described in detail in the Andersen patent, the hub 63 (hub 11 herein) rotates to actuate a linkage means for moving the switchpoints of a railway switch between two operative positions, as is well known in the art. The hub 63 rotates between the two operative positions of the switchpoints. The switching device 20 of the present invention may be mounted adjacent railway ties 16 and 17 (FIG. 4), and includes a housing 21 having a torque transmitting output member 22 extending outwardly therefrom. Coupling means 23 are provided for connecting the output member 22 to the hub 11, and includes a sleeve 24 fixed to member 22 and having a mounting flange 25 at the outer end thereof. A sleeve 12 is fixed to hub 11, and includes a bracket 13 which is secured to flange 25 by bolts 14 and nuts 15. The output member 22 is mounted for rotation within the housing 21 by suitable bearing means 30 and 31 held in bearing seats in housing walls 21a and 21b by retainer members 32 and 33 respectively.

Means for rotating the output member 22 are provided Within the housing 21, and include an electrical motor 26 mounted upon suitable support means within the housing. The armature shaft of motor 26 has a helical pinion 27 thereon, which meshes with a helical gear 23 mounted on a shaft 29. Shaft 29 is rotatably supported by bearing means 29a and 29b in walls 210 and 21d respectively of housing 21. A spur gear 34 is canied on shaft =29 adjacent gear 28, and meshes with a spur gear 35 carried on a shaft 36. Shaft 36 is mounted for rotation in bearing means 36:: and 36b in housing walls 210 and 21d respectively, and extends outwardly from wall 210. A spiroid pinion 37 is provided at the outer end of shaft 36, and meshes with a further spiroid gear 38 fixed on the output member 22 for rotation thereof.

The means for energizing the motor 26 include a normally open, momentarily closablc, push button switch 40 (FIG. 6) which is connected in a suitable circuit to be hereafter described. Switch 40 may be located at a point remote from the switching device 2%, such as at a control station for operating a plurality of switching devices. Ithen the motor 26 is energized, it will be appreciated that the output member 22 is rotated through the aforementioned drive means, including gears 27, 28, 34, 35, 37 and 38 to transmit torque to the hub 11 via the coupling 23. Means are provided for deenergizing the motor 27 when the hub 11 has been moved between its operative positions, and includes a switch 41 mounted in the housing 21 by a suitable bracket 42.

Switch 41 includes a pair of contacts 43 and 44 (FIG. 6) and a switch actuator 45 is movable between the contacts. Cam means are provided for operating the switch 41, and in the illustrated embodiment, the cam means are defined by a transverse rod 46 fixed to, and rotatable with output member 22. Switch 41 is preferably of the type wherein the actuator 45 is spring biased toward one of the contacts as for example contact 44, so that when the output member 22 begins to rotate, the actuator 45 will move into engagement'with the contact 44 when one end of the cam rod 46 moves out of engagement with the actuator 45. When the output member 22 has rotated through 180, the opposite end of the rod 46 will engage the actuating member 45 to move the same into engagement with contact 43 and deenergize the motor 26. Thus, the cam rod 46 and switch 41 comprise means for deenergizingthe motor 26 after 180 of rotation of the output member 22. Accordingly, means are provided for stopping the hub 11 of the switchstand 1G in each of its operative positions. It will be appreciated that motor 26 may always rotate in one direction while moving the hub 11 between the operative positions of the switchstand, and it is not necessary to provide means for reversing the motor, though it may be reversible if desired.

In order to sense increases in torque on output member 22, as would occur if a rock or other obstruction became jammed in the railway switch, gears 28 and 34 are each mounted for longitudinal movement in both directions along shaft 29. A rod or plate 50 is connected between shaft 29 and a switch operating member 51, and is movable longitudinally along shaft 29 for corresponding longitudinal movement of the actuator 51. Actuator 51 is mounted for longitudinal movement in housing walls 21c and 21d, and one end thereof extends outwardly of wall 21c. Helical springs 52 and 53 surround shaft 29 and bear against housing walls 216 and 21d, to urge the gears 28, 30 to a central neutral position. When the output member 22 senses an increase in torque, rotation of shaft 36 will be impeded and prior to the stopping of shaft 36, continued rotation of the motor shaft will feed the gear 28 longitudinally of gear 27 to move arm 50 and actuator 51 longitudinally.

A torque switch 55 is mounted in the housing 21 by a suitable bracket 56 and includes an operating member 57 which is movable between contacts 58 and 59 (FIG. 6). Cam means 51a are provided on the actuating member 51 for pivoting the operating member 57 between the contacts 58 and 59. The switch 55 is connected in a suitable circuit to be hereafter described, for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 26 to return the output member 22 to one of the operative positions. It will be appreciated that because of the opposed relation of springs 52 and 53, the torque responsive means is bi-directional, and will return the switch stand to the operative position which is not blocked.

For manually operating the switching device, a handle 60 is fixed to the housing 21; and in manual operation, the housing 20 is pivoted in its entirety about the axis of output member 22. A transverse abutment 61 is provided on handle 60 and is engageable with stop members 62 and 63, which may be fixed to or adjacent the railroad ties 16 and 17, if desired. It will be appreciated that the stop members 62 and 63 positively locate the housing 21 and the output member 22 in the two operative positions of the switchstand.

Latch means are provided for releasably retaining the housing 21 in the selected operative position, and in the illustrated embodiment, hook members 64 are pivoted to brackets 65 on the stop members 62 and 63, and are urged to a latching position by springs 66. Hook members .64 include outwardly extending footrest portions 67,

which are readily accessible for ease of movement of the members'64 to an unlatched position, as by an operator stepping upon the portion 67. As can be seen in FIG. 3, when a member 64 is pivoted to the broken line position shown at 64a, the housing 21 may be lifted by the handle 60 to move the abutment 61 to a position such as that shown at 61a clearing the hook member 64. Continued pivotal movement of the housing 21 will cause the output member 22 to move along with the housing as a unit, it being understood that the transmission 27, 28, 34, 35, 37 and 38 and the motor armature, and particularly the spiroid gears 37 and 38 will offer suflicient resistance to prevent rotationof the output member 22 relative to the housing -21. Thus, when it is desired to manually operate the switching device, it is necessary merely to pivot the latch member 64 and lift the housing 21 by the handle 69. As the housing approaches the opposite operative position, the bottom of the abutment will strike an inclined upper cam surface 6411 on the latch member to pivot the same against the bias of spring 66 so that the housing will be automatically latched in the selected operative position of the switch.

Means are provided for preventing power operation of the switching device during manual operation thereof, including a safety switch 76 fixed within the housing 21. As seen in FIG. 1, a fixed socket or sleeve 71 is provided for housing the leads to the motor and switches. Housing 21 is mounted for rotation relative to socket '71 by a bearing 72. Cam means in the form of a rod 73 is'fixed to socket 71, and is adapted to operate the actuator 74 of switch 70. Thus, when the housing 21 is pivoted during manual operation of the switching device, oneend of the cam rod 73 will pivot actuator 74 to open the switch 70. When movement of the housing 20 to the selected switching position is completed, the other end of rod 73 will close switch 70, to prepare the switching device for motor operation, when desired. Switch 70 is connected in a suitable circuit, to be hereafter described, for preventing the energization of motor 26 during manual operation of the switching device.

Turning now to FIG. 6, wherein the circuit means for controlling the operation of the switching device are schematically illustrated, leads L1 and L2 are connected to an appropriate alternating current source. Switches 40, 7t and41 are connected in lines 80, 81 and 82 respectively. Motor controlling means including a resistor 83 and a capacitor 84, are provided in a line 85 connected between lead L2 and a line 86 havinga relay coil 87 connected therein. A rectifying diode 88 is provided in a line 89 connected between lines 86 and 99 for placing direct current on relay coil 87 and capacitor 84. Relay 87 operates a normally open switch 87:: in lead L1, and a further relay 91 in line9tl operates switches 91a and 91b. Switch 91a connects line 92 (in turn connected to lead L2); and line 93 (in turn connected to the motor armature by line'94). Switch 9112 is connected to a line 95, in turn connected to lead L2 and having a resistor 96 and a rectifying diode 97 therein. Switch 31]) is also connected to the motor field by a line 98, and to the motor armature by the line 94. Torque sensing switch 51 is connected in a line 99 that is connected with switch 87a. The contact 59 of switch 51 is connected in a line 100 which includes a further relay 191, and which is connected to lead L2. Relay 191 operates switches 101a and 1131b which. are connected in lines 98 and 162 respectively. Switches 101a and 10112 are connected to the field of motor 26 by lines 103-106. A relay 107 is provided in line 10%, and operates a switch 108 in line 109 to complete a holding circuit for relay 101.

Thus, in operation, when the push button 40 is momentarily depressed, a circuit will be completed to relay 87 through lead L1, line 80, switch 40, switch 70, line 81, contact 43, switch actuator 45, d'ode 88, and line 89. It will be appreciated that a circuit will also be completed to the capacitor 84 for charging the same. Additionally, a circuit is also completed to relay 91 from switch actuator 45, and line 90. Energization of relay 87 closes the switch 87a while energization of relay 91 closes switches 91a and 91b to complete a circuit to the motor field and armature, and initiate rotation of the motor 26. As the motor begins to rotate, cam rod 46 will move out of engagement with the sw.tch operator 45 of switch 41 allowing the operator to move into engagement with contact 44. Thus, a holding circuit is established for relays 87 and 91 through line 82, contact 44, switch operator 45, diode S8, and lines 89 and 90 to retain the relays energized and continue the rotation of motor 26. When 180 of rotation of the motor has been completed, to move the switchstand from one of its operative positions to the other, the cam rod 46 will move the switch operator 45 into engagement with the contact 43 to break the circuit to the relays 87 and 91. When the switch actuator 45 is moved into engagement with contact 43 to open the circuit to the relay 87, the capacitor 84 will discharge through the resistor 83 to retain the relay 87 energized and switch 87!: closed for a predetermined t me. The deenergization of relay 91 immediately moves the switches 91a and 9112 into the full line position shown in FIG. 6 to short out the armature of the motor 26. Diode 97 places direct current on the motor field, and the motor is dynamically braked until relay 87 drops out. When the relay 87 drops out to open switch 87a, all power is removed from the motor 26.

If, during operation of the motor 26, an obstruction is encountered by the railway switch, the actuator 51 will be moved longitudinally to move the actuator 57 of the torque sensing switch 55 from contact 58 to contact 59. Relays 191 and 107 will thus be energized to close switches 101a and 1411b, and 168, respectively. Switch 108 completes a holding circuit to the relay 101 to retain the same energized when the actuator 51 moves from contact 59 to contact 58. The moving of switches 101a and 1011) into engagement with lines 103 and 106 reverses the flow of current to the field of motor 26, so that the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed to return the switchstand to one of its operative positions. When the switchstand reaches the operative position, the motor is again dynamically braked as described above.

When the switching device is manually operated, the cam rod 73 moves the operator 74 for switch 70 to a circuit breaking position to prevent remote energization of the motor during manual operation of the device.

Upon reflection, it will be understood that I have provided an apparatus which satisfies the objects set forth at the beginning of this specification. In effect, the device of the present invention provides a motorized handle which may be manually operated to throw a railroad witch or the like, or which, by virtue of the power means incorporated therein, may be operated remotely or locally to throw the switch by means of the prme mover in the form of an electric motor as illustrated. Manual operation is substantially as easily accomplished now as before. For example, Where a manually operable handle as previously provided may have weighed something on the order of 27 pounds at the end of the handle, the present device may involve a total weight only on the order of forty to fifty pounds including the means for power operation, and the force to manually operate the device is substantially the same as before.

It will be understood that the invention should not be regarded as limited to the specific gearing illustrated, and that it need not be limited to unidirectional operation nor to the specific angular increments of 180 as described. The torque sensing device advantageously controls operation in both directions. In lieu of binding the gearing to rotate the output shaft during manual operation by virtue of the'spiroid gearing, worm gearing may be provided or brake means may be provided on the motor. An important feature resides in the provision of the safety switch means to prevent power operation under remote control at a time while manual operation is under way.

I claim:

1. A switching device, comprising: motor means including a rotary shaft; an output member movable between first and second operative positions; means drivingly coupling said shaft and said output member; means for energizing said motor means to initiate movement of said output member from one position to another; means responsive to movement of said output member to said another position for deenergizing said motor means; and means responsive to increases of torque on said output member for reversing said motor means to return said output member to one of said operative positions.

2. A switching device as defined in claim 1 including means for dynamically braking said motor means in response to the deenergization thereof.

3. A switching device, comprising: motor means including a rotary shaft; a torque transmitting member movable between first and second operative positions; means drivingly coupling said shaft and said torque transmitting member; means for energizing said motor means to initiate movement of said torque transmitting member from one position to another; means responsive to movement of said torque transmitting member to said another position for deenergizing said motor means; means responsive to increases of torque on said torque transmitting member for reversing said motor means to return said torque transmitting member to one of said operative positions; and means for manually moving said torque transmitting member between said operative positions without energizing said motor means.

4. A switching device as defined in claim 3 including means for preventing energization of said motor means during manual movement of said torque transmitting member.

5. A switching device, comprising: a housing; an output member extending outwardly of said housing for connection with the member to be switched; means mounting said output member for rotation relative to said housing; motor means in said housing; drive means connecting said motor means and said output member for rotating said output member relative to said housing upon energization of said motor means, and for preventing rotation of said output member relative to said housing when said motor means is deenergized; stop means at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of said output member; means for manually moving said housing and said output member as a unit about the axis of rotation of said output member between said stop means, for operating said output member between first and second positions without energizing said motor means; means for releasably hol ing said housing against said stop means; means for energizing said motor means for moving said output member between said first and second positions without moving said housing; and means for deenergizing said motor means when said output member has moved from one position to another.

6. A switching device comprising: a housing defining a manually movable lever; a torque transmitting member on said lever for attachment to the member to be switched; means mounting said lever for pivotal movement about the axis of said torque transmitting member; abutment means on said lever; a pair of stop members, each at an opposite side of said axis and adapted to be engaged by said abutment means for positioning said torque transmitting member in one of two operative positions; releasable latch means for retaining said abutment means against said stop members; means mounting said torque transmitting member for rotation relative to said housing; selectively actuable means in said housing for rotating said torque transmitting member when actuated, and for preventing rotation of said torque transmitting member when unactuated; means for selectively actuating said rotating means; and means for interrupting the actuation of said rotating means when said torque transmitting member has moved from one position to the other.

7. A switching device as defined in claim 6 wherein said latch means includes a footrest portion for releasing thereof.

8. A switching device as defined in claim 7 wherein torque sensing means is associated with said torque transmitting member for reversing the direction of rotation of said rotating means when an increase in torque is sensed to return the torque transmitting member to one of its operative positions.

9. A device for throwing a railroad switch, comprising: a motor including a drive shaft; an output shaft movable between first and second operable positions;

means coupling the drive shaft to rotate the output shaft;

means for selectively controlling energizatiion and deenergization of the motor to move the drive shaft from either of said positions to the other; and means responsive to excessive torque on the output shaft as when its rotation is obstructed for automatically reversing saidmotor to return the output shaft to the operative position from which it started.

10. A switching device for throwing a railroad switch, comprising: a motor including a drive shaft; an output shaft rotatable unidirectionally between first and second predetermined posit-ions; gearing connecting the drive shaft to rotate the output shaft; manually controllable means for-energizing thernotor to initiate movement of the output shaft from one positionto anotheryand means responsive to movement of the output shaft to said other position for automatically deenergizing said motor.

11. A switching device for throwing a railroad switch, comprising: a housing defining a manually movable lever; a torque transmitting shaft associated with the lever and rotatable between predetermined positions; means mounting said lever for pivotal movement about the axis of said shaft; selectively operable power means on the housing for rotating the shaft relative to the housing; means normally retaining the housing against movement for operation of said shaft under control of said power means; and means connecting the power means and the shaft to rotate together about the axis of the shaft when the lever is manually moved.

No references cited.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SWITCHING DEVICE, COMPRISING: MOTOR MEANS INCLUDING A ROTARY SHAFT; AN OUTPUT MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND OPERATIVE POSITIONS; MEANS DRIVINGLY COUPLING SAID SHAFT AND SAID OUTPUT MEMBER; MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR MEANS TO INITIATE MOVEMENT OF SAID OUTPUT MEMBER FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER; MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID OUTPUT MEMBER TO SAID ANOTHER POSITION FOR DEENERGIZING SAID MOTOR MEANS; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO INCREASE OF TORQUE ON SAID OUTPUT MEMBER FOR REVERSING SAID MOTOR MEANS TO RETURN SAID OUTPUT MEMBER TO ONE OF SAID OPERATIVE POSITIONS. 